Bears' McNeill developing into strong defenseman

HERSHEY - Coming out of the Ontario Hockey League, Patrick McNeill was expected to be an offensive defenseman. After all, McNeill, Washington's fourth pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, had put together some pretty impressive numbers in his last two junior seasons, scoring 21 goals and 77 points for the Saginaw Spirit in 2005-06 and 22 goals and 58 points the following season.

But there is a decided difference between junior hockey and professional hockey, something McNeill learned in his rookie season with the Hershey Bears.

The 2007-08 Bears had a crowded roster, and McNeill was actually sent to South Carolina in the ECHL to get some playing time. While he did play in 48 games for the Bears, he was pretty much relegated to being a No. 5 or No. 6 defenseman.

McNeill took it in stride and continued to focus on getting better. Playing on a Calder Cup championship team last season didn't hurt, and heading into this season, he was determined to establish himself.

He has.

The old adage about defensemen is that it generally takes about three years to develop, and McNeill, in his third season, has developed.

"That's probably a true statement," McNeill said about the developmental curve for defensemen. "The guys that are pretty special, like (teammates Karl) Alzner and (John) Carlson, they come right in and make an immediate impact because they're great players coming out of junior.

"But there's other guys who might need a couple years to build some confidence and find their game at the pro level.

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This being my third season pro, I've really started to realize my role and what it's gonna take for me to succeed at the professional level."

That, McNeill pointed out, is one of the biggest aspects to adjusting to the professional game.

"Just the fact that the guys here are older, a lot bigger, a lot stronger, a lot wiser, they make playing in the D-zone a lot harder than playing against 17- and 18-year-olds in junior," he said. "That's a huge adjustment for a lot of people. The D-zone is that much harder when the guys are that much stronger, so there is a transition period where you've got to get used to playing in your own zone at the pro level."

In recognizing that development, McNeill is taking his progress in stride.

"I'm not really surprised (at his progression)," he said. "I think with more ice time and more confidence put on me by the coaching staff and myself has helped to start to become the player I always thought I could be."

Although presently sidelined with an upper-body injury suffered Friday night in Adirondack, McNeill ranks second on the Bears among defensemen with seven goals and 24 assists, both totals well surpassing his previous high, last season's three goals and 15 assists. Increased responsibility and increased ice time has created considerably more offensive opportunity.

"First you realize that the D-zone is obviously the most important part of the game as a defenseman," McNeill said, "and that's probably the toughest part to learn as a pro. Once you feel comfortable in your own end, chipping in on the offensive side becomes a little more easy. So I think my role here is I'm a second-line power-play guy.

"When the second unit gets out there, I've got to help contribute with that. Obviously, (at even strength) we get matched up against some pretty good lines every night, so I've got to be responsible in my own zone. My offensive numbers have been pretty good this year, but at the same time, I'm looked upon to play responsible D-zone as well."

Despite the offensive numbers McNeill has been putting up, he still recognizes the fact that his primary responsibility is in his own end. And he's worked hard to make sure that even if he isn't the biggest defenseman, or the hardest hitting defenseman, on the team, he can still have a physical presence in his own end.

"That's the main defensive responsibility, to finish your hits when you make a check," McNeill said. "I'm sure my hits aren't as noticed as the guys who throw the big, crushing body checks, but I try to use my body, use the stick just to let the other team know it's not gonna be a walk in the park when I'm out there. Maybe because I'm not huge in stature, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to be physical."